Can-opener.



'No. 857,009. PATENTED JUNE 18, 1907.

F. G. ASGHBRENNBR.

CAN OPENER.

APPLIUATION FILED 00120. 1906.

v UNITED srarns PATENT OFTHTCE.

int/inn e. .iscnsannnan, orsrim'rrono, Wisconsin.

CAN-()PENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Yatented June 18, 1907.

. ".211 iinzi filed October 20.1906- Soria1No.339,824.

To allwlmm it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK G. ASOHBREN- NER, a citizen of the United States, residing atStratford, in the county of Marathon and State of isconsin, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides a device of novel structure for opening sheet metal packages such containing edible goods and which are generally placed upon the market in tin cans.

The purpose of the invention is to supply an article of the character aforesaid which, while effective for the purpose designed, may be cheaply manufactured, thereby admitting 0f the merchant supplying the same with the goods.

For a full description of the invention andthe merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departin from the spirit ,or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings. in which:

Fig re 1 is a perspective View showing the manner F using the can. opener constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is atop plan view of the can opener. Fig. 3 is a side view of the can opener.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The can opener is constructed of a single blank, which in the present instance consists of a length of stout wire having an end ortion folded upon itself to rovide a cop shaped handle 1, the opposite end portion being flattened and sharpened to provide a blade 2, the part adjacent to the blade be ng bent laterally to form afulcrum 3 upon which the opener is oscillated when in operation. The loop shaped handle 1 inclines u wardly and laterally with reference to the ilade '2, thereby enabling the hand to occupy a position to one side of thecan or package being opened, thereby lessening the chances for in age to be opened.

jury to the hand in event of the opener slipping. s

The end portion of the lowermember or the handle 1 is bent to extend over the-upper member and curves downwardly and has an oblique arrangement, thereby securing the terminal portion\ of the folded end of the blank. The deflected terminal portion 4 of the lower handle member provides a rest and a stop for the forefinger of the hand when properly gripping the opener in the operation thereof. The thumb is adapted to ei'igage with the inner end ofth'e handle adjacent to the deflected portion 4, whereas the end of the third finger is adapted to enter the outer end of the loop, the parts being so arranged as to enable the device to be lirmly gripped in away to protect the hand from injury, while at the same time admitting of a maximum amount of force being exerted so as to perform the Work in a rapid and effective manner. The blade 2 is sharpened along its upper edge which is curved and terminahs in a point so as to readily penetrate the can or other pack- The fulcrum 3 being adjacent to the base of the blade enables the latter being passed through the top ofthe can or package by dealing'one or more blows upon the fulcrum by means of a stove litter or other suitable implement. After the blade 2 has been caused to penetrate the can or package adjacent to the edge thereof, the handle portion of the device is gripped in the manner herein disclosed and upon oscillating the device upon the lateral or opposite poltion 3 as a fulcrum and at the same time ad I vancing the implement, the top of the can or package is-cut, as will be readily understood.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A can opener comprising a single length of wire having one extremity thereof flattened, one edge of the flattened portion being curved and sharpened to form a blade, a lateral oil'- set portion located adjacent the blade and constituting a fulcrum, and a loop shaped handle extending from the outer extremity of the offset portion, the terminal portion ol. the lower part'of the handle extending overand around the upper member to all'ord a securing means for the extremity of the wire and to provide a linger rest.

In testimony whereof, I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- FRANK G. ASCHBKENNER. Witnesses:

DAN MAnoNY,

Jonx D. Klssrncun. 

